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SELF-CONFESSED chatterbox Joy Marks knows the difference that a friendly phone conversation can make to someone battling isolation blues.

Like many, the 60-year-old wanted to help others amid the coronavirus pandemic and found her calling as a phone buddy at support organisation People Who Care.

She is loving every minute of serving in what will ultimately be a team of 60 volunteers across its TouchPoint call centres in Wangara, Guildford and Mandurah, which assist more than 3000 clients and seniors in lockdown at home throughout the metro and Peel regions.

“I now know I have been waiting all my life to do volunteering, which is way more rewarding than any job I’ve had,” Ms Marks said.

“The thing that stands out for me is a small number of clients have lost long-term partners recently so on top of the isolation, they are also dealing with grief and sorrow.

“Many others have ongoing health issues or a partner with high needs.

“It is an honour for me to be able to listen as they share their thoughts and concerns.

“We often have things in common that we can talk about or some reveal truly amazing experiences they have had in their lives; those are wow moments for me and make this role so enriching.”

National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to celebrate the efforts of volunteers such as Ms Marks, who spends two days each week chatting to clients, ensuring they are well and determining if they need assistance, not to mention boosting their emotional wellbeing.

She said while many clients miss the organisation’s morning teas and bus outings, they are coping well during the crisis thanks to family or neighbour support.

But many more need People Who Care’s help when it comes to the delivery of shopping or pre-made meals, transport to a medical appointment or referrals to other agencies for specialist services.

“I did have some concerns around whether I would be emotionally strong enough, if a client was really struggling, but I was quickly reassured that the more experienced staff would be able to step in,” Ms Marks said.

“The calls I have are quite varied but a common question is, ‘when will it be over so I can see my friends again?’

“One thing that constantly amazes me is how quickly the time passes and I always feel like I want to make just one more call before I go home.”

Joining Vinnies as a volunteer retail assistant late last year, Ms Marks is a newcomer to volunteering but draws on 40 years of experience in admin and customer service.

She said as a person who loves a good chinwag and has plenty of time to listen, she was born for the role.

People Who Care volunteer coordinator Sandra Bristow-Smith said Ms Marks has a very caring phone manner and a talent for finding out people’s needs.